ARTIST PROFILE

OK. Here we go. I'm a Leo. I enjoy long walks on the beach and Monster Truck and Tractor Pulls. Oh...that's probably not what you are interested in huh?

I started out taking pictures of extremely attractive humans in my hometown of Kansas City and soon was shooting in Chicago, Dallas and New York. I moved to Los Angeles in 1995 and started THE SHOT PHOTOGRAPHY.

I sure don't envy your pursuit of finding the right shooter. 10 years ago, there were 10 of us to choose from. Now, I'm told there are well over 100 Headshot Shooters in LA alone!

It's definitely a BUYERS BEWARE market. Along with the many positive aspects of the DIGITAL REVOLUTION has come a wave of actors with a digital camera and a high school photo class calling themselves "Photographers". Sometimes it can be tough to tell the difference - until AFTER the shoot.

Almost every client I have has a horror story of wasting hundreds, even thousands of dollars trying to find the right photographer.

As I pursue my dream of being a director when I grow up - I am not shooting as much and not always available to shoot everyone that contacts me. I try to make myself available to returning clients as much as I can - and I will always refer you to a select few shooters who are consistently doing great work.

You will find other shooters that charge more/less - but no one will care more that your images are as special as you are. Your images really have to go to work for you, open doors and make a difference. I cannot stress enough the power of a great shot. Remember - your shots have to audition BEFORE you get a chance to.

Like it or not - this industry works on first impressions and will file you soley based on your packaging. Unfair - absolutely - but even the greatest headshot in the world cannot tell anyone that you are talented. Many make the mistake of just geting a picture of what your head looks like. If you are super hot - that might be enough, but for the rest of us I believe a great shot can say that you are interesting, unique and worthy of pursuit.

Remember - in a sea of clones - there is no other YOU. Not ONE. Of course we'd all like to change things about ourselves - but celebrate the fact that you are healthy and chasing your dreams. Celebrate that - Photograph that!

I believe that acting chooses you. But what are the alternatives? Sitting in a cubicle all day? No wonder people drink too much. Ask any 13 year old what he/she wants to be when they grow up and it's always the DREAM. Dancer, Model, Baseball Player, Actor. You never hear a kid want to sell insurance when he grows up.

I cannot turn on a TV, open a magazine or see a film without seeing my clients chasing and achieving their dreams. I have the greatest job in the world being a small part of your success.

Jeffrey "Nic" Nicholson
Daddy, Exotic Dancer, Photographer at Large


"You miss 100% of the SHOTS you never take".

Wayne Gretzky

RESUME

I'm not sure life gave Jeffrey Nicholson any other career option other than to become a successful Photographer/Director.

From the time he was born, he was surrounded by cameras and actors. His father, Larry Nicholson, was a top Commercial Photographer, Filmmaker and Director. Jeffrey grew up on the sets and stages of his father's productions and learned every aspect of film - and filmmaking.

Jeff says "My Dad had the ability to be what I call "both brained." He could be very technical and yet extremely creative at the same time." He said his favorite compliment is when he is told he is becoming "just like his Dad."

Teaming up after college, they formed Nicholson Communications, and over the next 10 years Jeff produced and directed hundreds of award winning Industrial Films, Sound Tracks, Commercials and Music Videos for clients like Hallmark, Stetson, Lee Jeans and MTV. It was during this time that Nicholson developed his work ethic, his ability to be instantly creative and meet impossible deadlines.

In 1994, Jeff officially moved to Los Angeles and formed the NICHOLSON CREATIVE GROUP and THE SHOT PHOTOGRAPHY to focus on commercial photography and video/film production and quickly found it.

Meanwhile, THE SHOT PHOTOGRAPHY became a household name to the top agencies and publicists in Los Angeles and New York which Nicholson continues to shoot with to this day.

He began the transition from still pictures to moving ones when he directed the award winning short film SPIRAL, starring Dane Cook. SPIRAL has won almost every festival it has been screened at including, Newport, Miami, New Orleans and most recently last year at the SLAMDANCE/NODANCE short competition, which awarded Nicholson the coveted BEST DIRECTOR AWARD. SPIRAL also won BEST ACTOR and BEST EDITOR and was nominated for BEST PICTURE at last years Pixie Awards.

Jeff was recognized as an "Emerging Filmmaker" by alwaysindepent.com. He is currently one of ifilm.com's featured "Filmmakers to Watch" where his film was one of the highest rated shorts in the history of the site and was recently named one of smashcuts.com's "10 Hot Directors" and is described as a "powerful new presence in modern filmmaking."

He was recently attached to direct the Jay Mohr comedy MURPHY'S LAW and sold his screenplay METAL BIRDING - current titled FREE STYLE starring High School Musical's Corbin Bleu and Penelope Ann Miller which will be released in theatres summer 2008.

Nicholson recently photographed Monica Lewinsky for Elle, Shannon Sossamon for Stuff's 100 Most Beautiful Women, The Scorpion King's and X-Men's super hot Kelly Hu and World Champion figure skaters, Sasha Cohen and Timothy Goebel.

And somehow in the midst of all this, Jeffrey delivered his most prized productions of all - his daughter, Taylor Malia Nicholson and her younger brother, Braden Acona Nicholson.

(excerpt from www.ifilmpro.com article on Up and Coming Directors to Watch)